In January 2013, crane operators dumped about 500 tons of coal into
the ocean while trying to rescue a sinking barge off the Colombian coast. At
the time, the company blamed rough weather for the accident.

The six employees being charged include onsite supervisors and
crane operators, according to BBC News.

The Colombian minister also warned the company that it could
face additional fines if it does not change the way it loads coal onto ships
for exports, Reuters reported in December.

Drummond had until Jan. 1 to change how it loads coal onto ships
and barges at its private port in Colombia, but the company missed that
deadline and the government there closed the port until it can comply with the new
regulations. The closure leaves Drummond Co. without a way to export its coal
from its largest mine there.

The Colombian environmental ministry said that the company could
face further fines if it did not begin using enclosed conveyor belts for
loading coal. But this month, the regulator decided, rather than fining
Drummond Co. further, to
close its port.